2009-11-10

The Trials and Temptations of...

Are you proud of me?

I'm halfway into my shopping challenge and I'm still going strong. Two and a half weeks ago I vowed not to shop until December 1st because... well, quite frankly, I needed to stop buying clothes. I'm sure I've gone for 2.5 weeks before but this time it was harder because I made a conscientious decision not to shop. I feel a bit weirded out by myself and how hard it's been. Am I normal? These have been my three biggest trials (I am dramatic...)...

Trial #1. I woke up the first Saturday of the no-shopping period and decided I needed new underwear. I'm sure in the official laws of shopping bans, underwear are an exempted but I immediately recognized the signs of temptation... I did not need new underwear. I just wanted to go to Winners, pick up some undies, accidentally walk through the shoe section and end up with some great boots on my feet. Then I would convince myself that shoes are exempted from shopping bans as well because, like underwear, they are worn everyday and hence, are essential. Thankfully, I caught myself and didn't even enter Winners. Besides, I was too busy anyways...

Trial #2. I dreamt (this is where I questioned my sanity) that my mom and I were in an antique store and I found these amazing leather boots. They were brown with cutouts (sounds crazy but they looked good in my dream), they were my size and only $13. I had to decide whether or not these boots were worth breaking the shopping ban for. I woke up before I made my crucial decision...

Trial #3. This trial was the worst. I went with my dad to Talize as our tradition requires. I was full of self control and stayed far away from any ladies' sections. We perused housewares* and checked the men section for a jacket for my dad. There an amazing plaid and fleece vest practically falls off the rack into my hands. Seriously, I'm good at thrifting but thrifting is naturally good to me too...I'm not even looking and I find stuff.... Because the vest is my hands, I try it on and it fits great. Crap. It would have been a fantastic layering piece, warm and chic... but no, even though it's only $6, I made a promise to my blog readers and as much as it hurt, I put Perfect, Cheap and Chic Vest back. Yes, I have since told my dad that Talize visits are off the agenda until further notice. No use looking at the menu when you can't order...

*where I found the adorable elephants in the above picture(the shopping ban is for clothing and accessories). I think they are name or menu card holders. I can't wait to use them at my next National Geographic dinner party (that was a joke but I'm actually starting to think that could be a cool idea). For now though, the elephants hold personal and positive affirmations :)

You're normal. I mean, at least compared to me. I buy something small almost every day. AND: I pretty have an eBay store so I can legitimately fill it with clothing, and hey, if it doesn't sell, I keep it. A month without shopping would be torture to me, unless I'm in a place where I can't, like, oh say the Sudan or something. I know this is shallow. I'm sorry for it!

So proud! I couldn't have put it back. I would have asked my parental unit to buy it for me since I was on a bad haha cheating? sure, but I would have my perfect vest! Oops, I'm sure thats not helping the temptation... Keep it up! you're doing great! The dreams (nightmares?) will pass.

Love the idea of using the elephants to hold positive affirmations! I may steal the idea (although I don't have elephants...) and the national geographic party idea too. Not sure how it's going to look yet...but it will be amazing!

Good job! You can totally keep it up! I did a month long shopping ban a while ago, and though it was awful at times, it was great for my pocketbook and self control! I think I need to do another one with the holidays coming up!